UK - Are my taxes about to go supernova?

Question

With the ban on public smoking, and the news that it's hit the pubs in scotland and ireland hard, we can expect the UK in it's entirety to see an overall downturn in smoking and drinking.

Now,much as I like the thought of a smoke free nation (except at wedding when a Cigar's not optional!) does this mean there's gonna be a huge chunk of tax missing?

Is the government gonna find this missing tax by screwing it out of us tax payers in other means?

Answer 1

Who knows. The government have enough money as it is. Hopefully with less smoking and drinking the NHS and police will be less burdened so we will make savings there. Although I can't imagine people drinking less just becasue they can't smoke. If anything, I'll be drinking a lot more now becasue I can finally go out in a smoke free environment!

Answer 2

The tax money lost from the decline in cigarette and alcohol sales is though to to be a short term problem. They are hoping that the reduction in the number of people smoking will relieve the pressure on the NHS and therefore save them money there.

Whats likely to happen is that people will just stay at home and drink and have their mates round, I know i will.

The pubs are the ones that are going to lose out.

Answer 3

As a smoker in Scotland the answer is no, the only taxes the government are loosing is on alcohol as there is lots of pubs closing down.

Answer 4

Of course, look at the poor Americans. Taxed to the limit.

Answer 5

Na Ur tax is going to the immigrants, tony sold out this country so the white people are leaving in droves. t

Answer 6

I think you will find your tax is going on bullets, tanks and soldier's pay in Iraq and Afghanistan.